On Mon, 06 Jun 2005 04:33:20 GMT, Brian K
wrote:
>On 06/05/2005 10:46 AM Dave Smith performed amanuensis:
>
>>alohacyberian wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>>>>That was the point.. Why can't handicapped parking spaces be used if they
>>>>are the only ones available?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>Because handicapped parking spaces are based on the belief that exercise is
>>>bad for handicapped people? KM
>>>
>>>
>>
>>I suppose you are thinking specifically of those who are in motorized scooters
>>because they have allowed their weight to exceed the ability of their body to
>>move it. A regular wheel chair would require some personal effort so they have
>>to be motorized. I occasionally wondered why people's doctors and insurance
>>companies arranged for motorized scooters for these people when a gym
>>membership would have been cheaper and more benefit in the long run (no pun
>>intended).
>>
>>
>>
>>
>My father is 89. He has clarification in both of his legs. He can walk
>about a block or so and then he cannot walk any further due to the
>unbearable pain he gets in both legs. His vascular doctor has
>encouraged him to walk a little further every month or so. It is
>thought that in doing so, his legs will slowly build new pathways around
>blocked blood vesicles in his legs. While he does this, the process is
>slow going and any improvement is measured in inches rather than
>blocks. Shopping in a mall, or cavernous outlet store would be
>impossible without one of those motorized scooters. He simply can't
>walk the distance.
The correct medical name for his condition is claudication not
clarification.
>
>Don't assume that because someone can walk a little that they may not
>need mobility aids. We're talking about something called quality of
>life here.
>
>I have a friend called Dan. He was a passenger in a car wreck and came
>out with spinal injury. He lives on pain killers, without which he
>would be in constant pain. He is able to drive his own van with a wheel
>chair lift. The Driver's portion has been specialized to fit him in his
>electric scooter. All the controls for accelerator and break are in hand
>controls by the steering wheel. He can walk in pain with the assistance
>of a cane. But he can't walk very far, just maybe from his scooter to
>his bed. (5 steps). At the local gym, he uses a special piece of
>equipment called an Aquatread. It's a treadmill underwater. The water
>provides buoyancy so he can get a cardiovascular workout. Despite
>efforts at diet and exercise, Dan is overweight. So Dan is one of those
>overweight guys you see in the supermarket with his scooter. If you
>didn't know him, you might think that he's one of those scooter people
>you talk about. It just goes to show, you shouldn't judge people by
>appearances.
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